This was exactly what Klein needed. As for the Faceless potion formula, while he didn't have it yet, he wasn't short on ways to obtain it thanks to Creeping Hunger. It contained a Faceless characteristic, and if Klein released it in the future, he could divine the potion formula through spirit channeling... main ingredient included.
Medici, unaware of this but sharp as a Hunter, had spent enough time with Klein to know what he truly lacked.
"Thank you, Mr. Red." Klein said quickly.
"No need for thanks. It's just what you earned." Medici replied, standing up. "Alright, you two have your private chat. I won't stick around and be a third wheel. Finish the second half of that speech by tomorrow and hand it over."
"No problem!" Klein nodded eagerly.
Medici strode out of the study with purpose.
"So, what's your deal this time?" Klein turned to Alaric after Medici left, a hint of exasperation in his voice.
"I just think the Tarot Club could use a new member." Alaric said, not hiding his intentions.
Klein blinked, caught off guard. He hesitated before responding, "Even though the Red Angel isn't exactly a proper angel anymore, I doubt I have the ability to pull him into the Tarot Club."
Clearly, Klein misunderstood, assuming Alaric was suggesting Medici.
Truthfully, Klein didn't mind too much. He trusted Medici, who was now solidly one of their own. But with Medici's strength, Klein doubted he could drag him above the gray fog.
"Why would you think that? When did I say I wanted Medici in the club? With his brains, you'd be exposed as the Fool in no time!" Alaric gave Klein a puzzled look, as if confused by the assumption.
Not Mr. Medici? Then who?
Klein was genuinely curious now. He looked at Alaric and asked, "So, who are you recommending?"
"Fors!" Alaric said openly.
"Fors…" The name, unfamiliar yet vaguely familiar, made Klein pause. Then it clicked. "The author of Storm Mountain Villa? The one Miss Justice recommended?"
Though slightly different from the original story, in this timeline, Audrey had indeed once suggested Fors for the Tarot Club.
"Yep, that's her." Alaric confirmed with a nod.
"Why her? Wait, you know Miss Fors?" Klein's mind raced.
"I do. I mentioned her before... she's the unlucky friend tangled up with Bethel." Alaric said, affirming Klein's guess. "She's got a good heart. Sure, she's a bit laid-back, but she's got real potential. I think we should bring her in."
Klein gave Alaric a skeptical glance. Knowing his friend's cunning nature, he wasn't fully convinced but didn't beat around the bush. "Be honest. Why are you really pushing for her?"
"Because I think the Tarot Club needs a publicity department." Alaric answered with a straight face. "We need to control the narrative. The Tarot Club's starting to make a name for itself, so to avoid getting smeared later, we need our own team to write about our members' deeds."
Like a certain famous writer, right? Klein didn't even know how to retort. After a moment, he said seriously, "Why do I feel like you just want to mess with me?"
"That's just your imagination." Alaric replied, unfazed.
Klein was now certain... Jack was definitely out to mess with him.
So, should he let this Miss Fors join the Tarot Club?
Klein fell into thought, then realized something else. "Wait, even if I want Miss Fors in the Tarot Club, that doesn't mean she'll join. What if she's not interested?"
"No worries, Fors is a total pushover. She won't say no." Alaric said, waving it off. Then, with a meaningful tone, he added, "And I'm not just picking someone at random. The old man once said Fors is tied to you by fate. She's meant to join the Tarot Club."
Klein froze, recalling that Lucifer might have the ability to glimpse the future. His hesitation grew.
Alaric glanced at the crimson moon outside, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Of course, he'd help Fors join the Tarot Club, but first, he wanted to see how this world's fate would nudge things along.
Could Fors' destiny realign to its original path without anyone's interference?
"Let's see just how strong this world's corrective force of fate is without my direct meddling…" Alaric muttered to himself.
He'd noticed that destinies he directly altered rarely reverted to their original course. For instance, Dunn and the others he'd saved were still alive and well. Even those indirectly affected, like Old Neil, followed suit. But events that should've shifted due to the butterfly effect... like a certain Hunter showing up... tended to snap back to the original story due to fate's corrective force.
This was slightly different from changing the past, sparking Alaric's curiosity.
So, he was eager to see if Fors would still join the Tarot Club for some reason, given he hadn't directly interfered and only indirectly affected her by treating Mr. Door.
…
"Achoo!"
In a certain apartment, Fors sneezed suddenly, making her wonder if she'd caught a cold. As she poured herself a cup of hot water, she couldn't help but glance at the sky.
The blood moon phase had passed, and today, she still hadn't heard those cursed full moon ravings.
"So, the curse is really gone?" Fors could hardly believe it. A few days ago, during the full moon, she'd noticed the ravings were absent. She thought it was a fluke, but even with today's unexpected blood moon, the whispers didn't return.
Did this mean her troubles were truly over?
The thought sent a surge of excitement through Fors. She'd been convinced that the worsening ravings would soon drive her to lose control. To think the curse had vanished so suddenly!
***
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